The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-01-27
The Maine Press Association at Augusta,

for the ensuing year, ii. \. Shorey, of BridgetOn,
and Anna Sargent Hunt, of Augusta, selected as
the e>sayist and poet respectively for the next
meeting, and for the summer excursion the Bur
ngton and Lake Champlain route decided upon.
ihe literary exercises took place Friday afternoon
III the Senate Chamber, which was filled with an
apprccia:ive audience, including State officials,
members of the Legislature and prominent citizens
Of Augusta. President Howard Owen, of Angus
Ia occupied the chair. Albro +. Chase of Port
land read an essay civilian CaNton, the First
English Printer, and George \. Qumby of Bel
fast ('our George Of the JournaD poem
titled "Our OldTime Journalists. My Ideas Of
Them and Their Opinion of Me-" The poem is
printed Oh the first page of the Journal The essay
and poem were well received and literally APP
plaudcd. Remarks were made by the following
John l.. stevens, Judge II. X. Baker and Hon. f.
Rpwel. In the evening the members of the Associ-
alton and their friends were entertained by How
ari Owen, ESD, one of the ahlest, most genial and
best known journalists in Maine, at his attractive
home on Sewall street. The guests as they stepped
from the arctic temperature outside into the cosy
parloiS mad warm reception from the host and
hostess and the succeeding hours were most de-
Ing liz, most as wei as the guests agreeably
surprised by the arrival of the Chickering Quar-
tette, whose singing was greatly enjoyed. Mr.. &.
Hunt, of this qutrtete, has many friends in Bel
fast. Miss Estellc Park sang, Miss Susie Adams,
OF Portland, and Miss Lou Qumby gave piano
los. and our George followed with some of his orig
inal songs, and later refreshments were served
Among those present We're Hon. Hannibal Hamlin
and Hon. Lewis Barker of Bangor, and Hon. John
l.. stevens and Mr.. Sprague of the kennebec Jour
nal. lion. James q. Blaine obliged at the last
moment to send his regrets in pleasant note
Which was read to the company by Mr. Owen. At
II O'Clock tie party separated with wealth of
good wishes for their most and hostess.
The presence of Mr.. Hamlin, who came from
Bangor expressly To attend the meeting of the As
suciaton, added greatly to the pleasure and inter-
est of the occasion. An exchange recently remark
ed that II ncle Hannibal is as vigorous and lively
to-day twenty Years ago." and that 'men of the
type Of the Penob~cot statesman never grow old"
This is exactly true. MIR. Hamn is more active
mentally and physically than many younger men,
and readily carried out his part one of the
"boys." He knew the fathers and grandfathers of
several he met and traced family traits and like
ne~se>. IN his remarks Friday afternoon he said
he had come to Augusta TO thank the Association
for recting him an honorary member, and to make
the acquaintance of those who conducting the
newspapers Of to-day He said,
| was never much of Il printer, but enough to
haze an honest sympathy for all the craft-where
ever they may he. had something to do with
paper oncs and Wa both leading partner in the
fri. and devil. Iaughter.) For half day out of
the week laborcd at Il hand press and know the
whole story. was boy, dog and devil, all in one.
set type, wrote editorials and even contributed to
the poet : corner. The time was when claimed a
personal acquaintance with nine out of ten of the
whole newspaper fraternity of Maine. l can hard
~ familiar face about me TODAY. The dis
tngul>hel speaker paid splendid tribute TO the
power and influence of the press. He did not fail
10 appreciate the high position which the men who
moves the moral world, dethrones kings, makes
presidents, cultiNates tastes, advances art, pro
motc- literature and does everything that eevates
man. How important then is the class of men who
are connected With the press of the world how i'm
portant that they be found on the right side, and
ccnsure wrong. For these reasons he was glad to
he present and become acquainted with the repre-
Weld broader and better influences and those
which are for the best prosperity and welfare of
the state we love so well.
unr among the many advantages of the Maine
Ple~> Association is the opportunity the annual
meeting affords visit the Legislature in session
and to make the personal acquaintance of legisa
their headquarters at the Augusta House which is
The stopping place of prominent politicians and
the centre of political activity. Here senator
Nichols and his accomplished wife have apart
ment@, where Wald" county people are sure of a
cordial welcome. senator Nichols, by the way, is
personally very popular in legislative and social
circles. andthe Waldo delegation as a whole stands
second to none. This may well include Councillor
". II. Hunt IF Liberty who has most favorably
impressed all who have met him. MI. Hunt and
others of the delegation are located in private
houses. In the corridors of the Augusta House
when the Legislature is not in session may he seen
the hoyi-h face of Representative Looney of
Portland, the labor champion, and a young lawyer
and orator of great abilities. Here, too, is
occasionally met Hon. J. ii. Manley, the brainy
chairman of the Republican state Committee and
the terror OF the Democracy. But as sometime
during tie day or evening about everybody in
Augusta VIII" is anybody puts in an appearance at
this well known hotel we pause here.
One of the most popular officials at Augusta is
the state Treasurer, Hon +. c. Burlcigh. We
doubt il he has an enemy even among his political
opponents, while the manner in which he has con
uetr'i the affairs of his Office has won him praise
FROM all quarters. The committee appointed to
examine the accounts of the State Treasurer com
l'l"ted their work last week and have submitted
their report TO the Governor and Council. The
Substance OF the report $50. X. A member of the
committee tells me they examined closely, expect
lr 10 find somewhere clerical error something
not just right, but it was all in vain. Not only
were the records and returns right to a cent and
the crossing of Il t, but reforms have been made
by which the work of the Office is greatly faclitat-
ed and improved. The Constitution prevents the
reelection of Mr.. Blrlegh at the end of his
present term, when he will have served the limit
of four years but the State should not lose the ser
vices of 50 valuable il man.